Former SONIC SYNDICATE Vocalist Collaborating With IN FLAMES Guitarist

October 16, 2009

HeavyHell.com recently conducted an interview with former SONIC SYNDICATE vocalist Roland Johansson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

HeavyHell.com: Why did you leave [SONIC SYNDICATE]?

Roland Johansson: I just love the time when you are on stage. But there are so many things that are included being in a band. Things that people never get to see and can't understand. I just found that that kind of life wasn't for me. All of the time you spend going in the tour bus in between the gigs, it gets quite tiresome. This all depends on what kind of person you are of course and were you are in life. I never became friend with the tour bus life. I just need to have some solid ground to stand on. It was really hard for me to find a meaningful way to spend my spare time in between the gigs. The fact of being away from home and your loved ones made it less satisfying. Some turn to fluid sources of inspiration, if you know what I mean. So I just decided that I didn't want to have that kind of life anymore. But also I just want to say that I'm a lucky guy that have had the opportunity to experience this that so few people ever will. I am satisfied with what I have accomplished in SONIC SYNDICATE. Now I have other fish to fry.

HeavyHell.com: You have met Nathan [J. Biggs, Roland's replacement in SONIC SYNDICATE], what do you think of him?

Roland Johansson: Yeah, I have met him. I think he is a really nice guy and will fit right in with SONIC SYNDICATE. You know he really was into SONIC SYNDICATE before he joined the band. I guess it was a good thing that we got to meet and he got the chance to talk to me as well before I left.

HeavyHell.com: Have you heard the new SONIC SYNDICATE material?

Roland Johansson: Sure I have heard two new songs. "Burn This City" sound a little bit different but I guess it's better to develop things a bit rather than just trying to make it sound exactly the same. It is hard for me to be objective. I start to think; I would have done it different in this or that way. But I guess everybody into music does the same thing with other peoples music.

HeavyHell.com: So what are you up to?

Roland Johansson: You know I stood you up on an earlier occasion, the reason was that I wanted to check before I went public. I got a really interesting thing coming up. Me and Jesper Strömblad from IN FLAMES are going to do a record together and that's what I have been doing lately. So I can assure you all that there will be some kick ass stuff coming along. The plan is to record the album in the beginning of next year.

HeavyHell.com: Do you have any project name for it yet?

Roland Johansson: Well we have a few, just haven't figured out which one yet.

HeavyHell.com: What will it sound like?

Roland Johansson: Well... You know the stuff I have been doing in SONIC SYNDICATE and Jesper Strömblad being a part of IN FLAMES will give you a hint. To be honest with you we don't really know exactly how it will turn out yet. It's too fresh, you know. It won't be just screams, that's for sure. No melody and I get bored. You just have to wait and see.

HeavyHell.com: Do you have plans on taking it out on the road?

Roland Johansson: Sure, we will perform live, not being out on the road like SONIC SYNDICATE, 'cause that's why I quit, you know, but we will definitely play live.

Read the entire interview from HeavyHell.com.

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